Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has set up a special sport-based art exhibition in the National Football Museum.
Spotlighting work by fine artist Michael Browne, who created a series of pieces exploring the relationship between sport, art and modern society, the new exhibition covers everything from “human rights, equality, injustice, the impact of power and elevations to a godlike status.”
Cantona has never been one to shy away from his icon status.
Entitled ‘From Moss Side to Marseille’ – referencing Browne and Cantona’s respective places of birth – the exhibition was commissioned by the Frenchman with the aim of celebrating influenced sporting heroes who used their positions to advocate for social change, even in the face of great personal cost.
Michael Browne and Eric Cantona unveiling the new exhibitCantona and Sir Alex, a.k.a. The King and The BossCredit: National Football Museum
Browne has been creating art since he was a child and his talent was quickly recognised, going on to study at the Chelsea School of Art before completing a Master’s at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has gone on to enjoy exhibits all across the UK, earning him public and critical acclaim.
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Having grown up locally and as a football fan, it was hard for Manchester’s rich sporting heritage not to find its way into his. Similar to fellow artist Stanley Chow, Browne soon became known for his use of sporting figures in his art, though he favours a neoclassical style over polygon-heavy geometric pop art.
Though both the man himself and football feature heavily throughout the installation, the significance of key sporting and cultural icons like Muhammad Ali, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph and more are also highlighted.
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Maradona and the Western Wall (2020)
Algeria Counter-Revolution (2021)
The Art of the Game (1997)
England and Brazil Real-estate and Human Rights (2019)
Muhammad Ali Freedom Without a Crown (2018)
John Carlos and Tommy Smith for 30 Pieces of Silver (2018)
Wilma Rudolph Throne of Impermanence. A letter to my Future (2022)
Carlos Caszely Theatre of Nightmares (2021)
Jesse Owens Scales of Injustice (2017)
Eric Cantona Family Portrait (2022)
As for his connection with Cantona, the two influential Mancunian figures struck up a friendship back in 1996, when Browne began working on his famous The Art of the Game painting, which chronicled Cantona’s return to football after his infamous ban. Something about a kung-fu kick?
Debuting on Saturday, 14 January, each piece is said to be ‘oversized’ and inspired by a different sports story throughout history, as well as making a statement about the associated athlete behind it, so there’s plenty to get stuck into.
Visitors will not only get to find out more about Brown and Cantona’s unique relationship through the lens of the exhibition, but they will also get to look at never before seen items from his personal archive.
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Better still, the National Footy Museum will be providing a whole host of activities in conjunction with the exhibition, including a performance by comedy duo Fan/Girl, life drawing sessions, a make-your-own ‘King Eric’ crown during half-term and lots more.
The National Football Museum has announced a new, thought-provoking exhibition jointly curated by artist @mjbfineart & France & Man Utd legend, Eric Cantona.
Writing in a statement on the museum’s website, Michael Browne said: “It has been a pleasure working in partnership with the National Football Museum to curate this exhibition, and it is very fitting for the collection to be debuted in Manchester.”
Cantona touched on his great excitement for the work to finally be seen all in one place, remarking: “There are many unsung heroes featured in the collection and it is time their stories are told.”
Admission is absolutely free, you only need to grab your tickets from the website HERE.
Featured Image — National Football Museum/Michael Browne
Art & Culture
Manchester Day is back with a ‘mammoth day’ of music-themed FREE fun next month
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Day is making a grand return for 2025 this summer, and you can expect a day filled with loads of music-themed fun.
Oh, and it’s free fun at that… doesn’t get much better.
With a whopping 1.3 million music tourists expected in Manchester this summer – apparently a little band called Oasis is performing or something? First we’ve heard of it – and a massive lineup of live music legends set to take over venues and parks across the city these next couple of months, this year’s Manchester Day is aiming to get everyone ‘in the groove’.
Manchester City Council is working with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme that promises something for music fans of all ages and all musical abilities.
From the English National Opera teaming up with Manchester’s football fans, to community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, hip-hop wrestling, and loads more, this year’s Manchester Day has got all musical tastes covered.
Manchester Day is back on Saturday 26 July. 🎉
Inspired by music, expect pop-up performances, spontaneous sing-a-longs and have-a-go activities. 🎶
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) June 2, 2025
As always, activities will be taking place right across the city centre – from St Ann’s Square to Cathedral Gardens, and everywhere in between.
Organisers say there will be plenty of chances throughout the day for visitors, both young and old, to get stuck in, try their hand at making music and maybe even uncover a hidden musical talent they didn’t know they had.
You can expect strum-along ukulele sessions, spontaneous sing-alongs, dancing to a steel pan band or some surprising Ska, and the stand-out music parade event travelling from St Peter’s Square to the Cathedral, with families invited to take a ‘musical meander’ through the city streets.
Manchester Day is back with a ‘mammoth day’ of music-themed free fun next month / Credit: Manchester City Council
“We’ve got a mammoth summer of live music coming up in the city this year, which means it’s only right that we max out on the music for Manchester Day,” commented Councillor Pat Karney, who is the Chair of Manchester Day, as this year’s theme was announced.
“Everyone in Manchester loves music, Mancs have music in their bones, there’s so much talent here – we’re either making it or playing it, and that’s why everyone’s on the guest list for this year’s Manchester Day to help us celebrate the music that Mancunians make best.
“We’ve got a fantastic day lined up, so loosen up those vocal chords, grab a guitar, grab your granny, all the family, and don’t miss it.”
Manchester Day is taking over the city centre on Saturday 15 July, and will be kicking off at midday right through to 5pm that same evening.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
Art & Culture
A popular Manc streetwear brand is hosting a big festival to mark their fifth birthday
Danny Jones
Popular Manchester streetwear and footwear brand, CLINTS Inc., is hosting its first-ever festival to mark five whole years in fashion – and it’s going to be big.
The highly sought-after clothing and sneaker make started out from a bedroom in Moston and is now a premium label in British urban, skating, UK grime and hip-hop culture, having been worn by many famous names and welcoming even more through the door of their Deansgate shop.
Located in the ABC Buildings on Quay Street next to Spinningfields, the flagship CLINTS store opened back in 2022 and is much more than a place to buy some new drip: it’s a place that showcases art, music, and a whole sub-sect of shopping beyond just skate silhouettes and trendy trainers.
As hack as it might sound to some, wearing this brand comes along with immersing yourself in the wider style and scene; the very same scene being celebrated in tandem with their fifth birthday.
Not to tease you more than the company already has, but as you can see, details are scarce.
There is no lineup or even location for this festival… only a date.
CLINTS Fest (the inaugural one, at that) will take place on Saturday, 6 September – presumably at or around the 21-23 Quay Street site, but who knows?
Fans of the brand can sign up for the mailing list for the latest details, and pre-sale tickets are also available now, with a couple of clicks on the website revealing that the event is set to start at 12 noon and wrap up around 10:30pm.
If you’re interested, you can register your interest HERE.
Credit: The Manc Group
While you can expect the festival to be packed to the rafters with die-hard followers of all things CLINTS and streetwear, they’re not the only local indie holding a special one-off this month.
In fact, this weekend, a fellow trainer specialist who is still just starting out life in the fashion game but is already making waves reminiscent of their contemporaries.
Here’s hoping this is just the beginning of the journey and they’re the next Manc brand to become a national success story.
Danny Jones -
16th January 2023 
